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^-#; NEWGATE^ 

A HISTORY OF THE PRISON. 

ITS 

INSURRECTIONS, MASSACRES, &C. 

IMPRISONMENT OF THE 

« 

In the Revolution. 

THE ANCIENT AND RECENT WORKING OF 

Ute MHKBS, &©., 

TO WHICH IS APPENDED A DESCRIPTION OF THE 

^ AT TTETHEBSFIELD. 



By RICHARD H. PHELPS, 

EAST GRA>BT, CONJf. 



Copy-right Secured. 



HARTFORD. 



PRESS OF ELJHl GEER, 26>. STATE STREET. 
1844. 



-w^. 



^ 



.//^ NEWGATE AND STATE PRISON. 

^ Th. main design of the following has been to collect and em- 
hody facts relating to Newgate, the former prison of the State ot 
Connecticut. There are many circumstances respecting the Mines 
and also while it was kept as a prison which are interesting, to 
those at least, who hke the writer, reside in its vicinity, and who 
have noticed many of its scenes ; and judging from tl- nu-ber^ 
.-ho travel far to explore Its caverns - V T t'of interert 
cover its grounds, it will continue long to be an object of interest 
and examination-time will wear slowly upon its strength, and age 
will but add to its interest. Many inquiries are also made abou 
.t of those living near it when they travel abroad and when it i 
known that they are famiUar with its history, ^hen Dr. Frank 
lin resided in Philadelphia, having occasion to travel to Boston, and 
knowing the gift of many of the Yankees in asking questions, m 
order to satisfy their importunity and save time in his answers, he 
adopted the expedient of printing a number of cards stating that 
he resided in Philadelphia, was a printer by trade, and on his wa^. 
to Boston; these he gave to his questioners whenever they corn- 
commenced their attacks upon him. This account, if it serves no 
general use, may at least, serve to answer many important ques- 

'"iT'is useful to record events in their day before they are forgot- 
ten, or are handed down as tales and traditions. If a record of 
the events connected with some of the monuments, castles and 
fortresses in Europe, or ruins in Central America, -uld no^v be 
obtained, it would be of vast interest to antiquarians, and would 
o-reatlv assist historians to substantiate valuable history. 
° When the aged in this vicinity are gone, and that soon must be 
thi7prison foiTress will doubtless remain; the -velle^ then will 
ask-Who built these towers T Why these huge grates, thee 
trenches and these walls ^ How came these ^P--^ ^J^^^^ 
be dug out of solid rocks, and why those rings and those fetters 
fastened to their massive s.desi Surely the echo of the- - - 
cannot answer, nor the people who lived -tempo aneo- 1 
their use. Therefore, sufficient is said as an apology for these 
Isty sketches. The materials for the work have been gathered 
rom a va ety of sources. A part is statistical, from the ancient coo 
27 records - and some is taken from the verbal statements kindly 



furnished by the aged now living ; much also has been related to 
the author by the aged who have been for years deceased, and 
who knew personally of the circumstances and events which are 
herein recorded, and all may be relied upon as being generally 
correct. 

Newgate is the name by which the prison was called in the days 
of the Revolution, and was so called after Newgate prison in Eng- 
land. Our forefathers, in giving names to many of their towns 
and cities, also copied from those of their ancestral home, doubt- 
less wishing to make their adopted country wear the familiar as- 
pect of their native land; and in christening this prison after a re- 
ceptacle of rogues in London, they intended to give to it a prison- 
like appearance, and to comprehend all of hideous name, gloomy, 
and terrible ! 

The prison situated near the centre of Granby, occupies an 
eminence at the base, and on the western side of the Green- 
stone mountain, which here rises to an elevation higher than 
at any other place in the State, giving to the scenery around, an 
impression of grandeur and sublimity, seldom surpassed. The 
site of the prison was formerly included within the limits of the 
town of Simsbury, and so remained until 1786, when a part of the 
town including the limits of the prison was set off and incorpora- 
ted under the name of Granby ; hence the place was at that time 
known by the name of Simsburi/ Copper 3Iines, on Copper Hill. 
The title to the mines was for a long time disputed in law between 
individuals, when so early as 1753, the General Court of the Colo- 
ny appointed a Committee to investigate the subject ; who gave a 
decision which was afterwards confirmed. The first working of 
these mines bears a far earlier date, as appears by the following : 

[" Anno Regni Annae Reginae, V Septimo A. D. 1706".] — " An aet 

relating to the Copper Mines at Sim^hury.''^ 

" Whereas, there hath lately been discovered a copper mine at 
Simsbury which hath been so improved as to give good satisfaction 
to conclude that a pul)lic benefit may arise therefrom : Now, for 
the better encouraging, directing and enabling the proprietors and 
undertakers, or others that are or may be concerned therein, their 
heirs and assigns, to manage, carry on, and inii)rovo said mines to 
the best advantage," &l.c. 

In 1714, the records show that the use of the mines were pur- 
chased by Jonathan Belcher of Boston, (afterwards Governor,) 
Timothy Woodbridge, Jr. and Wm. Partridge, and in 1721 they 
had miners from Germany employed, and were expending seventy 
pounds per month in the work. Tiiey were particular in their 
lease to have it expressly stated, that one fifth of ail metals, &cc. 



which might be procured should go to the crown — thus acknowl- 
edging themselves most loyal and devoted subjects of taxation and 
revenue to his Majesty. The laws of the colony permitting slav- 
ery, they employed slaves to a considerable extent in working the 
mines, — owing to the want of capital or of enterprize they did 
not take sufficient pains in digging drains or levels to let off the 
water which entered through the crevices of rock, and they resor- 
ted to the expedient of pumping it out. Laborers in the vicinity 
were employed for the purpose, and some of the farmers in the 
town of Windsor actually were accustomed to ride to the mines, 
and work at that business in the night, and return to their farms* 
in the morning, and their wages were paid in gold, silver and cop- 
per coin. The present extent of the excavations prove that the 
business was prosecuted with some effect, and that immense quan- 
tities of ore have been taken — several stamping mills carried by 
water were built in neighboring places, and actively employed in 
pulverizing the ore — furnaces were also constructed for smelting 
it, and a coin, known by the name of " Higley's coppers," made 
from the ore, used to pass quite current for change. 

The rage in the Colony upon the business of mining about that 
period was very brisk, as it would seem from the following peti- 
tion copied from the records : 

" To the Honnell, The Gov^e Councill and Representatives in Gener- 
al Court assembled in New Haven, Oct. KStli., A. D. 1733 : 
"The Prayer of Joseph Whitney of New Haven Humbly 
Sheweth, That your Suppliant hat Expended a Considerable time 
and money in Searching after Mines, and has made farther Discov- 
eries perhaps than any other man in this Colony has before done, 
and having met with such incourgement as that I am willing to be 
at farther Expense in the Same Search — but ready money being 
so absolutely necessary therein ; I therefore Humbly pray this as- 
sembly will be pleased to lease me one thousand pounds of the 
money Granted last may to be struck, and now to be disposed of 
by this assembly — upon double security in Lands and Bonds, for 
the payment of the interest every year ; the principall to be Re- 
turned at the Expiration of ten years," &c. 

JOSEPH WHITNEY." 

A great deal of labor and capital without doubt was expended, 
as the aforesaid petitioner says, " in searching after mines " and the 
evidence may be seen in the numerous pits and shafts which have 
been dug in the whole range of this mountain to New Haven. 

At that day, as in all previous time since the world began, and 
as is seen at the present day, their chief aim appeared to be to 
make their fortunes by head-work — by speculation, and choosing 



rather to spend their time and risk their fortunes in mining and 
other uncertain projects, rather than to dig upon the surface of 
good old mother earth, for a sure and honest living. 

The news of mineral wealth had the effect which it generally 
does upon British cupidity, and in 17G0 a company was formed in 
England for tlie purpose of prosecuting the business of mining. 
They dug wells in several places, one of which is eighty feet deep, 
and sunk a shaft tli rough solid rock to the depth of bet ween thirty and 
forty feet. Through this shaft they lifted many hundred tons of rock 
and ore, a large quantity of which was deposited about one mile 
east of the mountain ia Turkey Hills, at a place now marked by 
an entire dearth of vegetation, owing to the poisonous qualities 
extracted from tlie ore. From thence it was taken to Hartford by 
teams, where it was shipped to New York, and two vessels were 
freighted with it, and sent to England. These vessels were both 
lost ; one was captured as a prize by the French, being at that 
time at war with England — the other was unfortunately sunk in 
the English Channel. These disasters, together with the great la- 
bor expended in digging, and the laws of England prohibitting the 
smelting of it in this country, disheartened the company, and the 
further prosecution of the work was abandoned. 

These caverns were first occupied as a place for the confine- 
ment of Tories about the beginning of the American Revolution. 
What an astonishing train of events followed and how distant from 
the minds of the British company of miners, the idea that they 
were actually hewing out prison cells for the lodgment of their 
friends, the Tories of the United States! 

At first the number confined in these caverns did not exceed five 
or six, but as time developed events, the numbers increased. 
When the tea was thrown into the sea at Boston in 1773, and that 
port closed by an act of Parliament, so great was the excitement 
and so indignant were the people, particularly of Massachusetts 
and Connecticut, on account of British oppression, that the use of 
tea and all commodities impoitod in British vessels and subject 
to duty, were prohibited. Several persons it is said were confined 
in the dungeons for the crime of having a small quantity of tea 
and other articles of British import in their possession ; true the 
contrast in the times may appear rather curious, for at this day a 
housekeeper would be judged by common consent, deserving the 
same puishment for being siu^pectcd of not keeping them on hand. 
Our ancestors knew no half-way |)olicy, and seldom adopted dila- 
tory measures to carry their jHiints — tea vessels if then kept at all 
were ke[»t out of sight — teapots were run into musket balls, and 
they were the kind of currency with which the people dealt with 
old England. 



Public opinion in some of the colonies against those who favored 
the mother country was very rigid, authorizing any person even 
to shoot them if they were found beyond the limits of their own 
premises; persons now living well remember a tory who was shot 
in the town of Simsbury. Those who possessed not the hardihood 
thus summarily to dispatch a neighbor or relative for not choosing to 
fight for the country, or for purchasing of the British, adopted the 
more humane expedient of penning them up in the caverns, where 
they could at least leisurely examine the evidence of British labor, 
although not allowed the blessed boon of being governed by Brit- 
ish laws. We cannot for a moment doubt the noble intentions of the 
American patriots in the severity of those measures, for the results 
are now universally acknowledged and are generally appreciated. 
If at the commencement of their struggle for liberty, they had per- 
mitted those emissaries to raise a question as to the right of inde- 
pendent government, and had suffered them to prowl about unmo- 
lested, and to spread the fuel of disaft'ection, a civil, instead of a 
national war, must have followed. The proud eagle of Liberty 
would not so soon have risen over this land of plenty, and the 
reveille of English soldiery would have told misfortune's tale, of a 
government offeree. 

Most of those confined w'ere persons of character, property and 
great influence, they being the ones to do harm rather than those 
who were mere weathercocks in principle, and vascillating in prac- 
tice. Their first keeper was Capt. John Viets, who resided near 
by, and who supplied them daily with food and necessaries which 
were required. At that time there was no guard kept througii the 
day, but two or three sentinels kept watch during the night. 

There was an ante-room or passage through which to pass be- 
fore reaching their cell, and the usual practice of Capt. Viets when 
he carried their food, was to look through the grates into this past 
sage to observe whether they were near the door, and if not then 
to enter, lock the door after him, and pass on to the next. The 
inmates soon learned his custom and accordingly prepared them" 
selves for an escape. When the Capt. came th e next time, some of 
them had contrived to unbar their cell door, and huddled themselves 
in a corner behind the door in the passage, where they could not 
easily be seen, and tipon his opening it thoy sprang upon him,, 
threw him down, pulled him in and taking the key from his pos- 
session, they locked him up and made good their escape. What 
were the Captain's reflections on his sudden transition from keep- 
er to that of prisoner, is not stated, but he probably thought with 
Fallstafi", that "discretion would have been the better part of val- 
or," and he must adopt, in future, more cautious measures; his ab- 
sence was soon discovered by his family, who came to his relief. 



The inhabitants around rallied immediately and gave chase to the 
absconding heroes, and finally succeeded in capturing nearly the 
whole of them ; several were taken in attempting to cross the 
Tunxis or Farmington river, at Scotland bridge, a few miles south, 
a guard having been stationed at that place to intercept them. 
Some Santa Anna-like, took refuge upon trees, and others met 
with a more certain capture. A respected matron then a child, 
now states that the news of their escape and capture, spread as 
much dread or terror among the children in the neighborhood, as 
if they had been a band of midnight assassins. 

The tories confined in the dungeon, often in the course of the 
war, amused themselves in making poetry in derision of the meas- 
ures which were carried on by the patriots against England. The 
following are a part of some rhymes (referring to the patriots) 
composed by them and sent to their keeper. 

" Many of them in baiters will swing 
Before John Hancock will ever be king." 

John Hancock being one of the most ardent friends of the Revo- 
lution, was particularly obnoxious to the British, and a price was 
set on his head ; this raised the spirit of the colonies, and they at 
once made him President of Congress, which drew upon him the 
special odium of the tories. During their imprisonment they fre- 
quently sent to the keeper for provisions and other articles. The 
following is from the original, now in the possession of the author. 

■'Mr. Viets, 

If you have any meet Cooked, you will much oblidge me by 
sending me a dinner, for I suffer for want. 

Prison. Peter Sackett." 

This man was one of the thirty who afterwards were engaged in 
a bloody contest witii tlie guard, and he made his escape at that 
time. 

For a while previous to the year 177C, the caverns were used in 
part for the confinenient of thieves, burglars and other criminals. 
and who were kept in the same apartment with the tories. 

Permission was given by the authorities to employ them all in 
working the mines, and a guard generally suj)erintcndeil their 
work. In the year 1770, they attempted an escape by burning. 
A level had been opened from the bottom of the mines thiough the 
hill westward, for the purpose ol" draining off the water, and the 
mouth of this level was chiefly closed by a heavy wooden door 
firmly fastened. They had by degrees collected sufficient com- 
bustibles, and with a jnece of stone and steel they kindled a tire 
against the door, which burned as fast as damp fuel in a damj' 



8 

dungeon naturally could ; but instead of making their escape from 
the prison, they all nearly made their final escape from this world, 
for the dense smoke and blue flame soon filled the apartment and 
almost suffocated them ; search being made, one of them was found 
dead, and five others were brought forth senseless but finally re- 
covered. They were afterwards placed in a strong wooden build- 
ing erected for the purpose above ground. They soon set this 
building on fire, and burned it to the ground — nearly all escaped, 
but several were afterwards retaken. The fact is very strange 
that the people about two years after built another house for the 
same purpose, and of the like materials ! The experience from the 
past would seem to have dictated a different course, and to have 
forced upon their minds the necessity of adopting more pru- 
dent measures for their own safety, and for the security of the 
prisoners; they might then have avoided the dreadful scene which 
was soon to follow — a scene of conflict and blood ! 

As the war with England now raged with fury, the animosity 
between the Whigs and Tories had grown in proportion, and the seal 
of distinct party was in many places stamped with vivid impres- 
sion, so that at this period the number doomed to the prison had 
amounted to thirty, and nearly all of them were tories. They 
were a desperate set of men, and for their greater security a guard 
was allotted to each one, the thirty guard being armed with load- 
ed muskets and fixed bayonets. On a dark and cloudy night, fire 
was set to the wooden building by the prisoners within ; the flames 
spread fast, and quickly made an outlet for them — the alarm was 
given, and the guard rallied to the spot where they were boldly 
met by the infuriated insurgents ; many of the muskets were 
wrenched from the guard and turned upon them. 

One of them Mr. Gad Sheldon, was mortally wounded fighting 
at his post, and six more wounded severely. Says a venerable old 
lady now living, " it was a dreadful sight to see the wounded guard 
as they were brought into our house one after another, and laid 
upon the floor weltering in their blood ! When I came into the 
room the faithful Sheldon sat on a bench, his body bent forward, 
and a bayonet dripping with blood lying before him, which he had 
just drawn out of his breast — it was a deadly stab!" Many of 
the rebels were wounded, — some of them were assailed and gash- 
ed by their own comrades through mistake, while fighting in the 
darkness of the conflict. Nearly all made their escape, except 
those who from their wounds were unable to flee. One was taken 
upon a tree in Turkey Hills, east of the mountain, — a few others 
were found in swamps and barns in the neighboring towns. The 
struggles at this prison to subdue toryism, were doubtless greater 
than at any other place in any of the Colonies. 



Few tories were ever afterwards kept there, as the cause of lib- 
erty had now become so popular among all classes, that a person 
seldom could be found imprudent enough to avow publicly, mo 
narchial sentiments. 

The premises were afterwards used by the State for the con- 
finement of criminals, and they were kept chiefly at work in mak- 
ing wrought nails. It was not until 1790, that it was established 
permanently as a State prison. It is said to have been the design 
to employ the convicts in working the mines, which for a while 
was practised, but it was soon found that the convicts must neces- 
sarily have for that work, precisely the right kind of tools for dig- 
ging out, and they several times used them for that purpose ; this; 
reason with the consequent necessity of keeping so strong a guard 
both day and night, finally induced them to abandon the employ- 
ment. In that year, (1790) an act was passed constituting New- 
gate a permanent prison, and providing for the erection of the 
necessary buildings. 

A wooden palisade, mounted with iron spikes was constructed, 
enclosing half an acre of ground, within which, work-shops and 
other buildings were placed, and a deep trench was opened on the 
western side. (The wooden enclosure remained until 1802, when 
a strong wall was laid in its place, which is now standing.) A 
brick building was erected in the centre of the yard for the ofii- 
cers and privates, in the rear part of which a stone apartment was 
afterwards constructed directly over the mouth of the cavern, and 
in this room the prisoners were occasionally kept. 

Before proceeding further, it may be useful to describe the cav- 
erns more particularly as being the prison cells, and also to relate 
the general management and employments of the prisoners, &c. 
The passage down the shaft into the caverns, is upon a ladder fast- 
ened upon one side, and resting on the bottom. At the foot of this 
passage commences a gradual descent for a considerable distance, 
all around being solid massive rook or ore. The passages extend 
many rods in different directions, some of them even leading under 
the cellars of the dwellings in the neighborhood. In two of the 
passages are m'cIIs of deep water, one of which measures eighty 
feet — they serve for a free circulation of air to the inmates of this 
gloomy place, and were sometimes used for shafts through which 
to lift the ore, when the business of mining was carried on. On 
the sides and in the niches of the cavern, rooms were built of 
boards for the prisoners, in which straw was placed for their beds. 
The horrid gloom of this dungeon can be realized only by those 
who pass among its solitary windings. The impenetrable vastness 
supporting the awful mass above, impending as if ready to crush 
one to atoms, — the dripping water trickling like tears from it? 

2 



10 

sides, — the unearthly echoes responding to the voice, all conspire 
to strike the beholder aghast with amazement and horror ! These 
caverns and their precints, from their antiquity, and the dramas 
which have been performed within and around, will long be con- 
sidered as a classic place. The caverns have generally been ex- 
tremely favorable to the health and longevity of the occupants, 
which is supposed to arise from some medical quality in the mine- 
ral rock. 

A writer upon the subject observes, " From the various wind- 
ings and other causes, it is not cold there, even in the severest weath- 
er ; and strange as it may seem, it has been satisfactorily) ascertain- 
ed that the mercury ranged 8 degrees lower in the lodging apart- 
ments of the prisoners in the warmest days of summer, than it 
does in the coldest in the winter. This phenomenon is attributed 
to the circumstance of the cavities in the rocks being stopped with 
snow, ice and frost in the winter, which prevents so free a circula- 
tion of air as is enjoyed in the summer. On the 18th of January^ 
1811, at eight o'clock, A. M. the mercury stood in the cavern at 
52 degrees ; and in open air, as soon after as it was practicable for 
a person to get up from the cavern, (which could not have exceed- 
ed five minutes,) it fell to one degree below 0." Among the nu- 
merous visitants at the prison an accident occurred which would 
seem very dangerous. Mrs. Christia Griswold of Poquonock, 
while standing at the mouth of the shaft leading down into the 
cavern, accidentally stepped off, and fell the whole depth striking 
on the rocky bottom. The buoyancy of her clothes or some oth- 
er cause saved her life, though she received injuries from which 
she never entirely recovered. A prisoner afterwards fell at the 
same place, fetters and all, without appearing to injure him it i» 
said, in the least. 

The following is a relation of some of the Anecdotes, Escapes, 
and Insurrections, which have occurred at various periods in New- 
gate prison, which may be relied upon as being in the main, cor- 
rect. 

In November, 1794, a convict by the name of Newel escaped 
from the prison by digging out. It was the practice at that timt- 
to allow the prisoners the choice of lodging in the stone cellar un- 
der the guard-roorn, (generally known by the name of the stont^ 
jug,) or of going from thence down into the caverns. During the 
night a noise below Avas heard by the guard, and some of them 
went down among the prisoners to learn the cause, but could dis- 
cover nothing out of place. In the morning on counting them, as 
was customary, one was discovered to be missing. It was found 
that the prisoners, in some unaccountable manner, had contrived 



li 

to loosen and pull out one of the large cubic stones on the bottom 
of the cellar. Through the aperture thus made, they hauled out 
the earth, pouring it down the shaft, and incredible as it may 
seem, they dug a hole through gravel, earth and stones, under the 
floor and wall large enough for a man to crawl out ! It appears 
that wheu the guard went down among them in the night, the 
prisoners eould hear their arrangements for descending, and in- 
stantly replaced the s-tone and prevented a discovery of their ope- 
rations. IVewel, being a very ^imall man, had succeeded in mak- 
ing his escape first ; he was never afterwards retaken. 

In the year 1802 the prisoners rose upon the guard- The com- 
mander. Col. Thomas Sheldon was tlien sick, and soon after died ; 
all the officers and guard were sick also, except Mr. Dan Forward, 
a private. With occasional as.sistance of people in the neighbor- 
hood, the entire charge ©f the prisoners, at that time amounting to 
between thirty and forty, devolved upon him- They had heard 
that many of the officers and privates were sick, and observing 
that one man performed nearly the whole duty their suspicions 
were confirmed, and their plot strengthened. It is not certain 
whether there was a fair understanding among them — if there 
was, their courage most miserably failed. While they were pass- 
ing down into their caverns at the close of the day as usual, and 
when nearly all of them were going down the ladder, those who re- 
mained refused to proceed, and began an attack upon Forward who 
•was standing near. He was a robust, stout fellow, over six feet 
high, and always ready for any contest ; and instead of retreating, 
he returned their compliments, taking one by the neck and anoth- 
~er by the heels, and dashing them down into the shaft upon the 
rest who had now I)egun to come up. Tiie neighbors hearing a 
scuffle at the prison ran over to his assistance ; but their aid was 
unnecessary, as Forward had vanquished his foes and turned their 
rourse into the dungeon. It is very likely that all could have es- 
caped if Forward had betrayed the least sign of fear, or had resorr 
ted to persuasion. At this time a very contagious fever raged at 
the prison and soon began to spread among the convicts. It was 
•without doubt owing to the filtli in and around the j>rison, and to 
the want and care and attention to their deaidiness and comfort. 
The disease was so virulent tliut in order to arrest its progress, a 
barn was engaged of Capt. Koswell Pheljis, into wliicii they were 
to be removed — peoj)Ie in the vicinity were employed to take 
care of the sick and perform tlic duties of guard ; but all tlic pris- 
oners except three Irishmen being sick, it was found impractica- 
ble to remove them, and after some wctsks the disease abated. 
None of the prisoners, however, died, and no other instance of a 
^general contagion among them ever afterwards occurred. 



12 

In 1806, on the 1st of November, a rebellion occurred which for 
its results deserves notice. About thirty prisoners in the nail shop 
had procured keys made from the pewter buttons on their clothes, 
and with those keys they were to unlock their fetters. It was 
agreed that one of their number should strike a shovel across a 
chimney, and that was to be the signal for them all to unlock fet- 
ters, and commence an attack upon the guard, to wrest their M^eap- 
ons from them and use them to the best advantage. The signal 
was given — their fetters were unlocked, and two of their number 
began the attack. Aaron Goomer, a negro, and another, seized 
an officer by name of Smith, who not having time to draw his 
sword struck upon them with scabbard and all, and while the scuf- 
fle was going on, a guard named Roe, ran to the spot with his 
musket, and levelling it at Goomer, shot him dead on the spot — 
two balls passed through his head — his hair was singed, and his 
brains scattered around the shop. His comrade seeing his fate, 
returned to his post. The courage of the rest "oozed out at their 
lingers ends," for not one of them dared to stir from their places, 
although their shackles were unfastened. Had a well concerted 
attack been made and sustained by the rebels at this moment, they 
would have commanded the prison in five minutes, and could have 
put to death every officer and private in their quarters. 

Three brothers by the name of Barnes, natives of North Haven, 
were imprisoned together for the crime of burglary, in 1803. 
These were the most active and the finest looking men in the pris- 
on. They were very ingenious and adroit, and would construct 
almost any mechanism required of them — these were the fellows 
who planned the insurrection before spoken of, and they made the 
pewter keys for unlocking the fetters. They were experienced in 
making keys, and could once, it is said, open any store in New 
Haven; but their ingenuity at length brought them to an unfortu- 
nate place. 

The fact is surprising that the same three committed the same 
Dflence again, and were convicted and imprisoned again just three 
years after ! These brothers were regarded by the officers as ex- 
tremely dangerous, and for various ofiences in the prison, they were 
kept bound with two setts of fetters during the day, and also chain- 
ed to tlie block, besides being sometimes chained by their necks 
to a beam over head, and at night they were put into the dungeons 
and their feet made fast in stocks. 

One of the convicts named Parker, had been famous for coun- 
terfeiting the character of priest. He had been known to have 
many violent attacks of pretended piety, generally appropriating 



13 

to himself the name and office of an unordained minister — a part 
wliich he manan^ed with a great deal of dexterity, and commonly 
without suspicion on the part of his "dear hearers" that he was an 
imposte r. His exortations had been terrible to all stoncy hearts, 
and where his preaching lacked mental light or logic, he always 
had ready supply of bombast and bodily contortions. 

Another game it is said he performed to admiration. When he 
could hear of the absence of a long lost friend in a family, he 
would appear and claim the identical relationship himself, and act 
all the tragedy or romantic pathos of a joyful return. 

In one instance he claimed to be the husband of a disconsolate 
widow, and was received by her with all the attachment supposa- 
ble at such a happy reunion. How long her paramour managed 
to cajole her is not certainly stated, but he doubtless appropriated 
to his own condition the sentiment that "absence tightens the 
chords which yxmie friends and lovers.'''' 

How astonishing such adroitness! to be preacher and "steal the 
livery of Heaven to serve the devil in" — to be brother, son, or 
husband, and appearing more natural so to speak, in a fictitious 
garb, than in his real character. When his terra of service expir- 
ed, and as he was passing out of the prison gate, one of the con- 
victs exclaimed "wo to the inhabitants of the earth, for the devil 
has gone out among them." 

Prince Mortimer, a prisoner lived to a very advanced age. 
He died at the prison in Wethersfield, in 1834, supposed to be 1 10 
years old; he commonly went by the name of Guinea, which was 
probably given to him on account of his native country. His com- 
plexion did not in tlie least belie his name, for surely h-e was the 
personification of "darkness visible." Ilis life was a tale of mis- 
fortunes, and his fate won the commiseration of all who knew him. 
He was captured on the coast of Guinea by a slaver when a hoy — 
was transported in a filty slave ship to Connecticut, then a slave 
colony, and was sold to one of the Mortimer family in Middletown. 
He was a servant to different officers in the Revolutionary war — 
had been sent on errands by General Washington, and said he had 
"straddled many a cannon when fired by the Americans at 
the British troops." For the alledged crime of poisoning bis 
master he was doomed to Newgate prison in 1811 for life. He 
appeared a harmless, clever old man, and as his age and infirmi- 
ties rendered him a burden to the keepers, they frecjuciitly tried to 
induce him to quit the prison. Once betook his departure, and af- 
ter rambling around in search of some one he formerly knew, like the 
aged prisoner released from the Bastile, he returned to the gates 
of the prison, and begged to be re-admitted to his dungeon home, 
and in prison ended his unhappy years ! 



14 

A convict, by the name of Newman, was a noted prison breaker. 
Although he perhaps could not boast of unlocking, scaling, and 
digging out of so many prisons as the famous Stephen Burrows, 
yet his character, as it was written, compared very well. He es- 
caped in various ways from several prisons in Canada and the Uni- 
ted States, but this one he said, " was the hardest and most secure 
prison he ever entered." However, he contrived several plans for 
escaping; once he feigned himself to be dead. He Avas accor- 
dingly laid out as a corpse, and preparations made for his inter- 
ment; but before finding his carcase firmly under ground, he con- 
cluded it best to have his resurrection, and at length ventured to 
disclose to his attendants the important fact, that he would feel 
quite as comfortable in his long home if he could only get the 
breath out of his body and make his heart stop beating. He of- 
ten pretended to have fits, requiring medical aid, and what 
was of more consequence, the aid of a little Brandy or Madeira. 
He was finally cured of these tricks with the threat of having the 
brand of Rogue set on his forehead. 

It was frequently customary for farmers and others in the neigh- 
borhood to employ the prisoners in their fields, being accompan- 
ied at such times by some of the guard. They also performed a 
great amount of labor iu quarrying stone for the prison buildings 
and other uses. Six of them on one occasion were sent out a short 
, distance to quarry stone, in charge of one ofticer and two privates 
With no fetters, and a fair tield before them, they perceived the 
chance a good one for escape. Their plan was to get their keep- 
ers near together — to employ their attention about some trifle and 
quickly seize their arms. Accordingly they persuaded their keep- 
ers to peel off" some birch bark and make some caps for them, and 
while the cap business was going on, and the attention of the cap 
makers was occupied in their vocation, their weapons were seized 
in an instant — the refugees dividing the spoils and forming them- 
selves into squads, quickly scampered over the hills. The forlorn 
guards retreated to the prison — told their sad tale to the Captain, 
and at once received their discharge. The prisoners were all re- 
taken — somein the western part of the State for stealing; the 
others stole a boat in Connecticut river, and steering down the 
stream leisurely, were captured in East Hartford meadows. 

The wit of some of the convicts is well illustrated in an anec- 
dote of one of them, an Irishman, named Dublin. He was at his 
work making nails, when at one time Maj. Humphrey who then 
commanded came along, and says to liim, "Dublin, your nails are 
defective — the heads are not made alike." "Ah," said he, "Ma- 
jor, if our heads had all been made alike, faith, I should not have 
been caught here." 



15 

In the spring of 1822, there was an insurrection of a very seri- 
ous character. In the fall before between thirty and forty crim- 
inals were added to the number in the prison, and this reinforce- 
ment was composed principally of the roughest and hardest cliar- 
acters. Their terms of sentence were mostly long which served 
to fire them with desperation. The same fall a plot was set on 
foot by them for an outbreak, but it was discovered and defeated. 
The next spring they perfected their plans of operation in a most 
masterly marmer. The insurgents comprised the whole number in 
the prison amounting to 130. Their force was stronger than ever 
before, and the number of guard less, being at the time only 17. 
The captain (Tuller) was absent through the night, also one ser- 
geant, one private, and the cook. The intention of the rebels v.as 
rise in all the shops, m masse, at a given signal to knock 
down the officers, take tlieir weapons, and get possession of 
the guard, house where the arms were kept, and then to take 
the sole command of tlie works. The signal was given in the nail 
shop by a blow from a shovel, and officer Roe was instantly knock- 
ed down senseless with a bar of iron — they seized his cutlass and 
then attacked a guard, but so many being engaged upon him at 
once, pulling different ways, that they did not succeed in getting 
his musket. Officer Case in the meantime stationed a sentinel, at 
the door of the guard-room, with a loaded musket and bayonet 
charged, which being noticed by the prisoners in the other shops, 
prevented their advancing to the attack, and seemed to dishearten 
them at once. The bold rebels in the nail shop kept up the strug- 
gle, and sledges, spikes, and other missiles flew in all directions, 
and confusion and uproar reigned throughout. At this critical mo- 
ment officer Griswold arrived at the prison, and proceeded direct- 
ly to the scuffle at the musket — he drew his pistol, fired upon and 
wounded a prisoner. Roe by this time had come to his senses; 
he arose from the ground and shot another, when presently sever- 
al guard presented their cocked muskets, which immediately 
quelled the assailants. The general cry of the prisoners was now 
for quarters — " Spare us ! — don't kill us ! — don't kill us !". The 
captain soon after arrived and bound the ringleaders in double 
irons. 

Ephraira Shaylor, one of the guard, wai sent out to accampany 
two ])risoners, an Indian and a \\ bite man, about l}^ miles from 
the prison where they were employed in reaping. At the close of 
the day, on their return, the prisoners requested permission to 
gather some apples and carry them home, to which Shaylor con- 
sented ; he also was engaged in picking them up when they sprang 
upon his back, crushed him down, and secured his weapons — a 
cutlasi and fowling piece. One of them took a large Btone and 



16 

was about to smash out his brains, but the other dissented, and 
they concluded best to take him to a copse of bushes near by and 
there dispatch him. One followed at his back holding him by 
his sword belt with cutlass in hand, and the other marched at a 
respectable distance, with musket charged in true military style, 
and onward they marched towards the fatal spot. Our hero now 
concluded that his final hour had come, and thought if he must 
die, there might be at least a choice in the mode; and considerinw^ 
that a shot in the bach at such a crisis would be no dishonor, on a 
sudden he slipped the belt over his head and made for the prison, 
while the victors were disputing between themselves which should 
take the musket and fire upon him, — Shaylor reached the prison 
in safety, rallied several others and pursued them, but they were 
not to be found. 

After tlieir victory, it appears that the Indian proposed to the 
white man to break each others fetters, to which the other agreed, 
and after those of the Indian were broken, the crafty liar took 
speedy leave of his comrade without reciprocating the favor, thus 
proving that the old adage in this instance is not true, " there i» 
honor among rogues." The white man secreted himself in the 
mountains through the day, and at night went to a blacksmith's shop 
in Suffield, and with a chisel cut off his fetters. Both were after- 
wards taken for crime and recommitted to Newgate, where their 
condition and that of their enemy as victor and vanquished was 
strangely reversed, and Shaylor had an opportunity of enjoying 
his right of laying upon their bare backs, a few keen lashes. 

Mr. Shaylor afterwards held a commission in the army, was 
engaged in the battle of Bridgewater, and was wounded — he now 
draws a pension and is a respected citizen of Green Bay, Mich. 

A Thief by name of James Smith, a native of Groton, Conn.r 
was imprisoned for horse-stealing, in 1832, for the term of six 
years. He had been a great counterfeiter, and circumstances 
which have recently come to light are evidence that he had been 
a barbarous Pirate. The piratical crew had sailed in a French 
vessel, and after obtaining much plunder, fearing to enter any port 
without regular papers, they sunk their vessel on the coast of 
North Carolina, carried their specie in three boats and buried it 
all except one large trunk full, on the beach in Currituck County. 
In corroboration of the above it appears that while he was a pris- 
oner in Newgate, he offered David Foster, a guard, $200 if he 
would' assist him to escape, teUing him he had a great quantity of 
specie buried on the coast of North Carolina. Foster refused but 
promised to say nothing about it — this he testified in court when 
afterwards called upon as a witness. Smith in a few months after- 
wards escaped from prison, and as was supposed, by bribery. 



17 

The folloAving respecting him is related by Mr. Benjamin Tay- 
lor a planter now living in North Carolina — Smith and seven or 
eight others came to his house in the year 1822, and hired of him 
a room ; they employed him with four of his slaves to cross Cur- 
rituck Sound, and obtained a large trunk, very heavy, and return- 
ed to his house where they all remained about one week. While 
there he saw them divide a large sum of specie among themselves, 
and Smith appearing to be at their head took the largest sum — 
they were arrested on susj)icion of being robbers, but for want of 
sufficient evidence discharged. They all then left for Norfolk, 
Va., except Smith, who remained several weeks, — during this 
time he appeared at times deranged, would talk to himself, and 
told the servants that he "had made many a man walk the plank 
overboard." He then went to the north and was imprisoned at 
Newgate for stealing a horse. After his escape from prison as above 
stated, he returned to the house of Mr. Taylor and staid about 
one week — while there he employed several men in digging ou 
the beach. Their search was fruitless, for the storms and waves 
had dashed upon the beach too long, and it is supposed swept the 
treasures into the ocean. He then went away to some place un- 
known to Mr. Taylor. It now appears from the prison records, 
that he came to Connecticut where he was taken and again sen- 
tenced for twenty-three years on four indictments for horse-steal- 
ing. His last home on earth was the prison, and there he died 
in 1836. 

The last tragedy developed at Newgate, took place on the night 
previous to the removal to Wethersfield. Abel N. Starkey an in- 
genious criminal was the victim. He was a native of Roxbury, 
Mass. — was committed in 1824 for 20 years, for the crime of 
making counterfeit money. By his ingenuity and industry at the 
prison he had amassed $100 in cash. On the night of September 
2Sth, 1827, he requested permission to lodge in the dungeon, which 
was granted to him. From some cause which has never been 
explained, the hatch which covered one of the wells communica- 
ting with the cavern, was unfastened. During the night he laid 
hold of the well rope and ascended upon it part of the way up, 
when it broke and preci[)itated him into the water and a bucket 
fell upon his head, the noise was heard above, and he was found 
dead. His feet were tied together with a handkerchief for the pur- 
pose, as is supposed of assisting him in climbing the rope. Only 
S50 were found in his possession ; the balance was j)robably the 
price paid for unfastening the hatch. 

It would seem that Newgate prison in the course of its duration, 
had contained all which was various iu character, determined in 
3 



18 f 

crime and deep in degradation. It compassed all ages from 
boyhood to extreme old age; both sexes, colors, and diflerent oc- 
cupations — students from college, and others unable toreador 
write. Those skilled in Phrenology might have had a rich treat 
in exploring the bumps on some of those hard heads, and the solving 
of their characteristics would have afforded amusement and perhaps 
instruction. 

Seriously, it is difficult to account for the wayward inclination 
of some of them, especially those who were imprisoned a number 
of times and for the same kind of offence each term, unless it can 
be accounted for on phrenological principles. It may be said to 
indicate only a depraved heart, but a depraved heart must have a 
strange kind of head to run repeatedly into the same crime and get 
back to the same prison. But I leave it to those who understand 
the science to defend the ground, presuming that the truth of their 
cause will insure them a triunphant issue. 

When the number and difference of characters kept in that pris- 
on is considered, and the treatment which they received is appre- 
ciated, it will at once be seen how unaviling the system must have 
been for their security or their reformation. The custom of fas- 
tening tlieir feet to bars of iron to which chains were attached from 
their necks, chaining them to the block, and likewise to a beam 
above, while at their work, scourging their bodies like beasts, «fcc. 
taught them to look upon themselves in a measure as they were 
looked upon by others, objects of dread and possessing characters 
more like fiends than men. With such treatment, reformation must 
have been, and was entirely out of the question. The system was 
very well suited to make men into devils, but it could never make 
devils into men. Instead of putting them in cells separate at night 
where they might have opportunity for reflection, they were suf- 
fered to congregate together, good and bad, young and old, to 
brew mischief, and to teach new vices to those unpractised. Their 
midnight revels as may be supposed, were often like the howling 
in a pandemonium of tigers, banishing sleefj and forbidding rest. 

It is not desired that these remarks, however, should be constru- 
ed as imputing blame to the officers or guard of the prison — far 
from it. Although they were many times in fault, still as the pris- 
on was constructed, and in the way that service was required of 
them, it was impossible to preserve that degree of order and disci- 
pline so essential to success. They had no approved system of 
prison discipline to study, no correct views of punishment connec- 
ted with reformation were at that day generally known, and but 
few branches of business were thought of, which would yield a 
fair compensation and save the State from cost. 

The old prison buildings, with five acrea of land, were sold to 



19 

a company in New YorT^, for $1200 dollars — a sum probably far 
below their real value. A few years since, this company again 
commenced working the mines. They expended many thousands 
of dollars in beginning extensive levels, building furnaces, and in a 
steam engine to facilitate their operations. They also raised a 
considerable quantity of ore, some of which they smelted at their 
works, and some was sent to England. But owing to a reverse in 
business aflairs and to the want of skill in those employed, the busi- 
ness was for the time again abandoned. One thing is quite cer- 
tain — the work has been carried on by a variety of labor, by 
slaves, by free labor, by private individuals, and by chartered com- 
panies — and which of the kinds has succeeded best is left to the 
operators to decide. Too much time and money have now been 
expended in those mines to justify their abandonment, and it is 
hoped that a thorough trial will yet be made by those who are not 
deficient in capital and energy, tipon their j)roductiveness, and the 
question forever settled a:} to their intrinsic value. 



The present State Prison, of Connecticut, situated on the margin 
©f a beautiful cove in the town of Wethersfield, is considered by 
all as a penitentiary of the ^rst order. Its location, its construc- 
tion, its management and discijiline have won the admiration of 
every State in the Union. It has proved to the world, that crimi- 
nal punishment can be made a safeguard to society, a reward to 
the honesty and industry of a people, and also a benefit to the 
moral and physical condition of the criniijials. The jirison limits 
comprise about one acre of ground, which is enclosed by ;i wall of 
bard sand stone, 18 feet high, 3 feet thick at its base, and inclining 
to 1 3 feet at the top. Within, and adjoining this wall, are build- 
ings of the same material, for work-shops and cells. In the yard 
is a cistern under ground, containing 100 hogsheads of water, and 
a fire engine is attached to the premises. A steam engine of 20 
borse power, is connected with the shops for proi)elling machinery 
necessary to carry on the various branches of business. In one 
apartment is a place where the convicts are allowed to bathe at 
suitable seasons of the year. A portion of the cell building is 
whitewashed each day, which purifies the air, and gives to the 
lodging apartments an appearance of neatness ; each one enjoys 
that bli3sinj:^r (,f punishment, a sijiarate cell at nii^hl, and no one is 
allowed through the day to look at any visitor, or to catch the eye 
of his fellow, but all are intent on the business before them. The 
whole cost of the establishment, including 17 acres of land, and in- 
cluding all the improvements to the present time, is tj^oGjUUcs 3G. 



20 

The number of male convicts, April 1st, 1844, was 170 

" female, " *' 22 * 

Total, 193 

The males arc employed in making and finishing Chairs, Table 

Cutlery, Rules and Siioes. 

The females in making Chair-seats, reeling Silk, Cooking and 

Washing, and Mending Clothes. 

Daily routine of duty performed at the Connecticut State Prison by 

its officers. 

At daylight the bell is rung for the officers, who immediately re- 
pair to the guard-room. When it is sufficiently light, the Deputy 
Warden gives the signal for manning the walls, and the Overseers 
take their keys, go to their several divisions, and again wait the 
signal, when they unlock, and march their men, with the lock step, to 
their respective shops. The convicts immediately commence work, 
and also begin at a given point in the shop to wash, which each 
man does in regular order before the breakfast hour. 

At 7 o'clock the bell is rung for breakfast, the convicts stop 
work, form into a line in their shops, and wait the signal of the bell, 
when they are marched into the prison yard, and form a ling in 
front of their buckets. At the word 7-ight, each man turns to the 
right ; the word uj} is given, and each man takes his bucket upon 
his left arm, when they form into sections in close order, as marcli>- 
ed from tlie shops ; and at the word foricard, they march in the 
same manner to the hall, v/here they are seated to hear the read- 
ing of the Bible and attend prayers. From thence they are march- 
ed around the cells, take their kids containing their hreakfast as 
they pass the kitchen, and are immediately locked up. Each 
officer then reports the number of men in his charge to the deputy 
Warden, who, finding it right, gives the signal of "all's well ;>' 
the Watchmen leave the wall and repair to the guard-room ; all 
the officers then go to their meal, except one in the hall, and one 
in the guard-room, who are relieved in turn. 

From half to three quarters of an hour is allowed, when they 
are again, as above, marched to their work, and there remain till 
12 o'clock ; tiie signal is again given, they are again marched up- 
on a line, and in the same manner marched into and around the 
hall, the same as at breakfast, with the exception of "service." 
Time allowed for dinner, one hour. At one o'clock they are again 
marched to their shops, and work till six P. M., Avhen they again 
form a line in front of their buckets ; when the word is given, "one 
pace in the rear, march," each convict steps one pace back, when 



21 

the officer having charge of each division commences searching, 
by passing his hands over the arms, body, and legs of the prison- 
er, and as each man is searched he steps to the front. Wlien all are 
again in a line, the word is given to uncover, and each convict takes 
the cover from his night bucket ; the officers pass and examine 
them; the words, cova- — right — vjJ — forward; and they march 
to the hall, attend prayers, and to their cells, as in the morning. 
The officer then in the hall lights up, examines each lock and 
door, recounts the convicts, and reports the numberto the Warden 
or Deputy Warden. At half past 7 the signal is given, and each 
convict retires to his bed ; the officer again examines the doors; 
sees that all are abed, and is then relieved by the Overseer, taking 
the first tour, which continues from half past 7 to 11 o'clock. He 
is then relieved by a Watchman, who takes what is called the mid- 
dle tour, from 11 o'clock to half past 2; the Watchman taking the 
morning tour, or from half past 2 till hght, relieves him. The 
above officers are required, while doing duty to be constantly on 
their feet, marching around the cells and upon the galleries to see 
that all is quiet and in good order. If any sickness or disorder 
takes place, he calls the watchman who acquaintance the Warden 
or Deputy Warden who immediately repair to the hall, and take the 
necessary measures for rehef of the sick or the suppression of dis- 
order. 

Duties of the subordinate officers. 

Deputy Warden takes the principal charge of the internal af- 
fairs, under the direction of the Warden ; spends the whole day in 
visiting the several shops and departments; sees that every officer 
performs his duty ; attends to the wants and complaints of the 
convicts ; and has a constant supervision of all the internal opera- 
tions. 

The Clerk assists the Warden in keeping the books and other 
writing; attends generally to the transportation of convicts from 
the county gaols ; and when not thus engaged, performs such other 
duties as is required of him by the Warden or Deputy Warden. . 
The Overseers. — After performing the duty of marching the 
convicts as above described, to their shops, it is tlie duty of the 
Overseers to remain constantly in their shops and with tlieir men. 
They are not allowed to sit down, but must not only remain on 
their feet, but also exercise the utmost vigilance in seeing that 
their men work diligently, in order and silence. In case of sick- 
ness or disobedience, they are recpiircd to send immediately for the 
Warden or his Deputy ; they al^fo report in writing, before nine 
o'clock, A. M., all who express a wish to see the Physician. 

The Matron and her Assistant have the charge of the Female 
Department, of convicts. Those employed in the cooking are un- 



22 



locked by the Matron at 4 o'clock A. M., all seasons of the year, 
nnd are employed in cooking and washing, under the constant and 
immediate supervision and direction of the Matron, who attends 
personally to the weighing, measuring, and dividing of the daily 
rations. The Assistant Matron has charge of the work-room, 
where the females are employed in making and mending clothes 
for prison use, and in the manufacturing of palm-leaf hats, &c. 
After the labors of the day, they are assembled for religious ser- 
vice and instruction ; immediately after which they return to their 
cells, and are locked in by the Matron. 

The Watchmen are employed, all the time, in duty upon the 
walls, in the guard-room and hall, hospital, and in waiting upon 
spectators who visit the Prison; they are not allowed to sit, read 
or write, while upon any post of duty. 

The Gate-keeper has the care of the gate leading into the yard, 
and takes charge of the out door hands and work. 

The convicts have at all times free and unrestrained access to 
the Warden, and can, whenever they wish, see and converse with 
the Directors, or Director, when they visit the Prison. All pun- 
ishments are inflicted by the Warden or his Deputy. No subor- 
dinate officer is allowed to leave the Prison, day or night, without 
permission of the Warden, or in his absence, the Deputy Warden. 
The following is a Statement respecting the Convicts from official Documents. 



Wheretborn. 


Where convicted. Crimes. Term of sentence. 


Connecticut, 


116 


New Haven Co, 


37Uurglary, 64 Life, 17 


New- York, 


18 


New London " 


24 Theft, 28 15 yrs. $100 fine 7 


Massachusetts, 


19 


Fairfield, " 


38 Horse stealing, 13 


10 " 500 " 1 


Rhode Island, 


11 


Hartford, " 


28 Attempt to kill, 10 


10 " 100 " 1 


Maine, 


2 


Litchfield, " 


29An-on, 11 


4 " 50 " 1 


New Jersey, 


2 


Tolland, " 


lOW^tfcmpt rape, 9 


2 " 100 " 1 


Vermont, 


2 


Windham, " 


11 Rape, 6 


10 " 300 " 1 


Delaware, 


1 


Middlesex, " 


15 Breaking jail, ] 


2 " 10 " 1 


Virginia, 


1 






3Ianslaughter, IC 


i 3 " 100 " 1 


Pennsylvania, 


3 






Forgery, 3 


3 " 50 " 1 


Ireland, 


8 






Passing counter- 


20 " 3 


England, 


3 






feit money, 2 


16 " 1 


Canada, 


1 






Adultery, 11 


15 " 5 


Germany, 


2 






Robbery, 2 


14 " 2 


France, 


2 






Murder, 5 


12 " 2 


Isle of Maderia 


1 






Bigamy, 1 
Attempt to mur- 
der, 10 
Stealing, 3 
Exposing child, 1 
Mayhem, 1 
Decoying child, 1 
Insanity, 1 


10 » 2 
9 " 7 
8 " 9 
7 " 9 
6 " 12 
5 " 17 
4 » 22 
3^ « 28 
2 "^ 40 
2 "6 months, 1 
1 "6 " 2 
1 "3 " 1 
1 " 2 
Dui-ing insanity I 



192 



182 



192 



192 



23 

It also appears that 76 of the whole number of males, have been 
married, and those 76 have 186 children, who unfortimately hear 
the odium of their fathers guilt. 125 confess that they almost 
daily used intoxicating drinks, and 38 could not read at all when 
they came into the prison, — most of them have since learned to 
read. The condition of the sick, and the instruction of the ilhte- 
rate, are well attended to by the efficient physician and chaplain. 

The following is considered as worthy of record from the noto- 
riety of the characters described. 

The first female convict ever sentenced to state prison in Con- 
necticut, is Thirza Man^fchl. She was convicted in New Haven, 
in 1825 of the crime of murder, and was sentenced to be hung, 
but the sentence was commuted to imprisonment for life at New- 
gate. She is now suffering her sentence in prison at Wethersfield. 

Augustino Robcllo an insane Spaniard, is now enclosed in a cell 
for the crime of murder. The victim was a boy whom he hewed 
to pieces in a most barbarous manner while in a fit of passion. 
lie was committed in in 1836 for the term of his insanity, and he 
now lies on his cot a frightful spectacle — a wreck of man, bereft 
of reason. 

Daniel Bennett, a native of Maine, is now in prison for the second 
oft'ence — his first crime was Burglary, and his second was Bur- 
glary with intent to kill. He stabbed the officer Ripley, who took 
him, and in June of the present year, he attempted to kill an officer 
of the prison. This man is one of the most desperate fellows con- 
fined in the prison. lie is now forty-six years of age, about six 
feet high and well proportioned. Twenty years since he was a 
convict in the New Hampshire prison, and has since been confined 
in Maine and Sing Sing prisons. While at Sing Sing, he attempt- 
ed to excite an insurrection in that prison. With a stone axe in 
hand, he made a rush, with the cry of "Come on boys — liberty 
or death !" Captain Lyndes met him however, and soon quieted 
him. He made a violent attempt to escape while at the New 
Hampshire prison, but was met by the Warden on the top of the 
wall, and driven back. He also attempted to take the life of the 
Warden, with a large sledge hammer during his first term at Weth- 
ersfield. A permanent home will doubtless be assigned to him by 
the next court. 

Harvey Griswold, a native of Sufficld, was committed in Janua- 
ry, 1828, for twelve years, on four indictments, for passing coun- 
terfeit money. In October, 1835, he stabbed the Warden of the 
prison, and was for that offence, sentenced for life, — he was how- 
ever discharged from prison by un act of the AssembI/ iu August, 



24 

1842. He appears to be a reformed man, and has visited his for- 
mer friends and acquaintance, by whom he has been received with 
respect. His grandfather, Capt. Sylvanus Griswold, of Windsor, 
was formerly one of the most wealthy persons in the county of 
Hartford, — he owned by inheritance and purc\iHse,Jiftecn hund- 
red acres of valuable land in Connecticut, and his power and influ- 
ence were very extensive. 

Jolin Sharj), of Milford, was committed in June, 1836, — his 
crime was murder, and his sentence for life. He is said to be one 
of the most notorious villains in the prison, and is now sujjposed 
to have murdered /oJ/r or Jive persons before he was taken and con- 
victed ! His heart is made of stern stuff, or his mind must be har- 
rassed with horror, by the remembrance of his dreadful crimes ! 

No convict has ever escaped from this prison. Its safe construc- 
tion and active vigilance of the officers, would seem to banish all 
hopes of escape and render every attempt worse than useless. A 
large portion of the time since the institution was established, it 
has been under the supervision of the present gentlemanly and 
prompt Warden, Amos Pilsbury, who seems well adapted both from 
experience and talent to discharge its duties. Strict order and dis- 
cipline is apparent in every department, and yet it would seem 
to be without any vain show of authority — no bars and shackles 
are worn — no armed sentinel is seen except on the towers — no 
muskets, swords, or pistols are carried within the walls, and it is 
only in the guard room that any weapons of death are to be seen. 

The crpctise of Newgate prison to the State, for seventeen years 
previous to the removal in September, 1S27, including buildings, 
&c. erected, was more than $125,000, being over $7000 per an- 
num, while the jjj-qfits of the present institution for the same period 
have been more than $92,000, being an average of over 55,400 
per annum. The true causes of this difference are obvious to 
those who are acquainted with the former and present manage- 
ment. The Boston Prison Discipline Society, have done much to 
correct prison defects, and reform abuses. They waded through 
the filth of many prisons in our country, noted their errors, and 
aroused the public to their base deformity, and the thanks of the 
nation are due for their faithfulness, ability, and zeal. 

The spirit of improvement in prison discipline must now go for- 
ward, for the world have followed for ages the old system, and 
have proved it to be entirely useless, — convicts and keepers, and 
community at large, have long sought for, and demanded reforma- 
tion. In some States, they have commendably improved ; and now 
Connecticut advances forth, and with honorable pride, exhibits a 
model penitentiary to the world! 






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